92nd TSO Texas State Denton Convention June16- 19, 2021

Denton Convention 2021 – The Key Page 1

History of the DKG Brass Decorations at the Presidents’ and Founders’ Banquet at the Denton Convention will feature the magnificent collection of brass candelabras that has belonged to Texas State Organization for 83 years. They will be used on the head tables, on honors tables, and scattered throughout the ballroom.

The Presentation of Chapter Presidents is a continuing tradition from the exceedingly early days of Delta Kappa Gamma when Dr. Annie Webb Blanton was president. She bought individual brass “Jack Be Nimble” candleholders for each president to carry in a formal annual presentation, which ended with each president giving an oral, two-minute report to Dr. Blanton on the most important accomplishment of her chapter during the year.

As the chapters expanded in Texas, the financial burden of purchasing the candleholders shifted to the state organization. The second president, Mamie Sue

Bastian, would call the State Treasurer, Phyllis Ellis, to go shopping at Kresge’s for additional 25 cent brass candleholders. The state organization eventually owned 254 individual brass candleholders. The tradition of the presidents’ candlelight march was discontinued because of numbers of fire regulations. After not being used for over 15 years, the decision was made to sell most of the candleholders to members at the State Convention in Corpus Christi. Alpha State retained the most ornate candleholders, one for the original family and one each for each family in the Greek Alphabet. The state brass collection continued to grow during the biennium of Catherine Young Clack, the fourth State president (1938-1940) when the 24 majestic brass candelabra were purchased. Each candelabra has 21 separate pieces, and this does not include the red votives. Balfour was commissioned to design bowls, urns, candlesticks, and trays for induction and other ceremonies of Delta Kappa Gamma. During the biennium of past State President Jessie Sim, State Treasurer Phyllis Ellis called with a request to purchase 4 altar candlesticks. They were used the next year at the Founders’ Ceremony at the 1969 State Convention in Austin. They were also used to represent the four regions of the Society the following year at the Memorial Service during the 1998 International Convention in Dallas. The candelabra and altar candlestick were also used at the Founders’ and Presidents’ Banquet that year, giving Texas the opportunity to share our beautiful brass collection with our International sisters. When the brass is used at a convention, the Brass Committee is responsible for assembling the various pieces, unpacking, and packing the brass in the containers and suitcases. Gloves must be worn when handling the brass and special security must be provided while the brass is in the convention city. It is the convention committee’s responsibility to transport the brass to and from the convention site.

Texas is the ONLY state in The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International organization that has its own brass collection. Because this collection is such an historical treasurer, it is our joy to behold as well as our charge to cherish and protect these beautiful pieces. Article by Lou Hitt, Steering Committee Chair Pictures from the TSO Brass Collection

Denton Tour of Archives

Archives at TWU Blagg-Huey Library has reopened to the public and the tours that TSO Archives Committee has planned for Wednesday, June 16, 2021 will happen. Reservations for tours are from 9:00 am until 4:00 for groups of 10 to visit for 1 hour. You may visit as a chapter or group of friends to

view where TSO Archives are kept. The Staff will be happy to pull your chapter box so you can view what is already in Archives for your chapter. Masks will be required once in the building. To sign up for an hour visit please contact Deborah Thomas, Archives Chair at djtitx72@live.com . Your visit must be scheduled before the convention or look for the sign-up schedule in the registration area to see if there is a time available to go visit. This is a wonderful opportunity that you don’t want to miss while in Denton.

REMEMBER TO… • Release unneeded Embassy Suites by Hilton rooms so others can

reserve and use them – you will not be charged • Make your reservation at the Embassy Suites

o To make your reservation go to www.dkgtexas.org o Call the hotel at 844-684-9427 - Use the group code

DKG • Participate in the ASTEF activities

o ASTEF auction o Purchase new ASTEF pin

• Bring your Unifying Project gift cards • Bring your DKG pin and ribbon • Visit and shop at the Kendra Scott Pop-up • Stop by the vendors area to shop and pick up your lunch boxes

The Key

June 2021 Hilda V Guerra, Nu Delta Issue 9 Publicity Chair

Please bring a gift card or multiple cards in any amount of $50 or less from Target or Walmart. Your Unifying Project gift cards will be collected near the registration area and the location will be designated with a sign.

Thank you for your participation

Relax, Refuel, and Fellowship Looking for a great place to get together with new and old friends? Here is a list of places you can take a break from the busy convention to fellowship with DKG sisters from around Texas and those you see once a year. Bon Appétit!!!

Restaurants within a mile of Embassy Suites Burger King In-N-Out Braum’s McAllister’s Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen McDonalds Chick-Fil-a Panera Bread Chili’s Panda Express Chipotle Mexican Grill Raising Cane’s Chicken Cowboy Chicken Starbucks Cotton Patch Subway Cracker Barrel Taco Casa Dairy Queen Torchy’s Tacos Denny’s Whataburger El Pollo Loco Wing Stop I Hop Zoe’s kitchen

The Metroplex has so much to offer; plan to come early or extend your stay to soak in the fun that the area has to offer. This can be a great opportunity to add to your collections of memories as you visit the Metroplex with your family or friends. Arlington Area - 47 min (45.3 mi) from Denton • Six Flags Over Texas Amusement Park • Globe Life Stadium - Texas Rangers Baseball

Games • AT&T Stadium where the Cowboys play Denton Area • College of visual Arts & Design Art Galleries • Denton Historical Park • Explorium - Denton Children’s Museum • Gowns of the First Ladies Gallery-Texas Woman’s University (TWU) • Texas Fashion Collection-University of North Texas (UNT) • Texas Woman’s University Art Frisco Area - 37 min (34.1 mi) from Denton • Dr. Pepper Ball Park - Rough Riders Baseball Games • Frisco Heritage Museum • Museum of the American Railroad • National Video Games Museum • National Soccer Hall of Fame • Traintopia in the Frisco Discovery Center Dallas Area - 44 min (40.3) from Denton • Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens • The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza • George W. Bush Presidential Center • Dallas Museum of Art • Dallas World Aquarium • Dallas Zoo • Nasher Sculpture Center • Meadows Museum • Perot Museum of Nature and Science • Reunion Tower Fort Worth - 41 min (37.1 mi) from Denton • Amon Carter Museum of American Art • Fort Worth Water Gardens • Fort Worth Zoo • Fort Worth Botanic Garden • Fort Worth Museum of Science and History • Kimbell Art Museum • National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame • The Stock Yards McKinney - 43 min (44.0 mi) from Denton • Heard National Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary Play Street Museum

Denton Convention 2021 – The Key Page 2

Staying Cool in Denton Ø Mixed Daiquiri Express - 4145 S Interstate 35

Ø Armadillo Ale Works - 221 S Bell Ave

Ø Denton County Brewing Company - 200 E McKinney St

Ø Steve’s Wine Bar – 111 Industrial St

Ø Beth Marie’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream – 2 Locations: 117 W Hickory St & Wind River St

Ø Gnome Cones (open daily) -205N.ElmSt “Gnaughty Gnomie” alcoholic treat

Denton Night Life Dining • The Dive – 3350 Unicorn Lake Blvd (940-320-3483) • Shell Shack – 2303 South I-35 E (844-588-2722) • Horny toad Café & Bar – 5812 I-35 (940-383-2150)

Live Music – To Name a Few • Lucky Lou’s - 1207 W. Hickory St (940-484-5550) • Sweet Water Grill & Tavern – 115 south Elm St

(940-484-2888) • Harvest House – 331 E Hickory St (940-218-6148)

Shopping around Denton Discover antique treasures and eclectic specialty stores in the historic downtown square and beyond. There are unique shops all around Denton for clothing, art, music and much more. Denton Crossing Shopping Center – Loop288 Golden Triangle Mall – 2201 W I-35E Rayzor Ranch Town Center –3100 Town Center Trail Rayzor Ranch Marketplace – 2640 W University Dr Downtown Denton Square – On the Square

Covid-19:AccordingtoStateofTexas,asofJune1,ifyouhavebeenvaccinated,wearingamaskisoptional;however,youareencouragedtowearoneatconventioninordertoprotectthosewhoarevulnerableorareunvaccinated.Pleasecontinuetousehandsanitizerandwashingofhandsthoroughly.